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Holland to start Tuesday in Minor League game

MLB.com executive correspondent Richard Justice discusses the importance to the Rangers rotation of Derek Holland regaining his form in 2013

By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

LAS VEGAS -- Derek Holland is over his latest stomach ailment and is scheduled to pitch in a Minor League game on Tuesday. If all goes well, Holland would be in line to make two more starts before the end of the spring and pitch the third game of the season against the Astros.

The Rangers play the Cubs in Mesa on Tuesday, but Holland will pitch in a Minor League game in Surprise. Holland threw five innings and 64 pitches in his only start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but the Rangers aren't sure how long he'll go on Tuesday.

"We'll just see where he is," manager Ron Washington said. "At least in a Minor League game we can control it. He'll get as many innings as he can. If we can get him through that, we'll get him in an 'A' game."

Holland currently follows Matt Harrison and Yu Darvish in the rotation. Washington said they'll make a formal decision on the order of the rotation shortly after Wednesday's off-day.